Public Involvement

Public involvement is an integral part of the Environmental Impact Analysis Process, which requires full disclosure of potential environmental impacts to the public and encourages the public's participation in development of the environmental analysis document. The public has an important role in providing input during this process to help the National Guard Bureau make more informed decisions about implementing this proposal.

The first opportunity for public involvement is the process called “public scoping,” which was held in summer 2022.

  • Public Scoping Period: During a public scoping period, the public helps to identify the scope of analysis, environmental resource areas, and potential alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS. Input received during the public scoping period is considered in the development of the Draft EIS.

The next opportunity for public involvement is during the public review and comment period for the Draft EIS, which is from February 16, 2024 to April 5, 2024.

  • Draft EIS Public Review and Comment Period: During the Draft EIS public review and comment period, the public reviews, evaluates, and comments on the environmental impact analysis presented in the Draft EIS. Input received during this period is considered in the development of the Final EIS.

 

Public Meetings

Public meetings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be held virtually and in person at the locations and dates below, schedule subject to change. 

All members of the public and press are invited to attend the public meetings. If you’re unable to attend a meeting, recordings of the virtual meetings are posted below. 

Virtual Public Meetings (March 5-7, 2024) 

These meetings will begin with a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with project team members, and a formal hearing to receive public comments on the Draft EIS.

The virtual public meetings have concluded. Please see below for links to the recordings. 

BELLE CHASSE, LOUISIANA for the 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CST 
Click here to view the recording.

WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS for the 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. EST 
Click here to view the recording. 

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA for the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport 
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. PST 
Click here to view the recording.

 

In-Person Public Meetings (March 14-21, 2024) 

These meetings will include informational posters with project team members available to answer questions, followed by a presentation and formal hearing to receive public comments on the Draft EIS. 

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA for the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport 
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 5 to 7 p.m. PDT 
Piccadilly Inn 
5115 E. McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727 

WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS for the 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 5 to 7 p.m. EDT 
Westfield Intermediate School 
350 Southampton Rd, Westfield, MA 01085 

BELLE CHASSE, LOUISIANA for the 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans 
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 5 to 7 p.m. CDT 
Belle Chasse Auditorium 
8398 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 

 

Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations or members of the media with a query may send an email to NGB.A4.A4A.NEPA.COMMENTS.org@us.af.mil. 

  

How to Submit Comments

The National Guard Bureau requests and welcomes your comments on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is posted on the Documents page. Comments can be submitted by one of the following methods:

  • Via the online comment form
  • Email to NGB.A4.A4A.NEPA.COMMENTS.org@us.af.mil
  • By U.S. mail to:
    William Strickland
    EIS Project Manager
    National Guard Bureau, NGB/A4AM
    Shepperd Hall
    3501 Fetchet Ave.
    Joint Base Andrews MD 20762-5157
    Office: (240) 612-7042
  • Drop off a written comment form at one of the in-person public meetings
  • Provide your comment orally at one of the public meetings

 

Oral Comments at the Public Meetings

If you wish to provide an oral comment during the public hearing portion of the public meetings, please fill out a speaker sign up form available at the meeting. Oral comments will be limited to three minutes or less. Speakers are encouraged to submit comments of considerable length in writing.

To submit a written comment, click here for the online comment form.

Current EIS Timeline

Current EIS Timeline